Taking care of the newborn dying and their families: Nurses' experiences of neonatal intensive care

Authors

  • Fabiane de Amorim Almeida Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (FICSAE)
  • Mariana Salim de Moraes Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein; Clínica de Imunização Pediátrica - Departamento Materno Infantil
  • Mariana Lucas da Rocha Cunha Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (FICSAE)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-623420160000300018

Abstract

Objective To understand the experiences of nurses when caring for dying newborns and their families in the NICU; and redeem their perceptions about acting before the death and grieving process. Method A descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach, developed with nine nurses at the ICU of a hospital in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD). Results Caring for newborns who are dying and their families is very difficult for nurses, due to the intense involvement. They seek strategies to deal with the situation and, before the newborn’s death, despite the suffering, express the feeling of accomplishment. Conclusions Facing death and grief triggers mechanisms that emerge life references, coming across painful issues. Learning to deal with these questions is a daily challenge for nurses of the NICU.

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Published

2016-06-01

Issue

Section

Original Article

How to Cite

Taking care of the newborn dying and their families: Nurses’ experiences of neonatal intensive care . (2016). Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da USP, 50(spe), 122-129. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-623420160000300018